Hello,

I have a 2008 Escape V-6, 4WD, auto trans. I need to replace the front brakes at 36K and was wondering if anybody knew what the proper size is of the front caliper bolts. I tried 8mm and 5/16 which I think is too small and 10MM and 3/8 seem too big. Is it possible they are 9mm? I don'[t currently have a 9mm hex bit to try. Also if anybody knows what the min rotor thicknees is that would alos be very good to know since I have brake vibration and want to have the rotors cut.

As for the back, it looks like you have to take the nut in the middle off to get the drum off? How do you stop the axle from turning? What is the torque?

Thanks a lot for any and all help!!

 

You need a 9 mm hex bit. No one includes a 9 mm in their hex bit sets at the retail level. I just did the fronts on my 07 Mariner last Saturday. My local NAPA store had to order the 9 MM bit from their warehouse. It took one day and cost about $10 plus sales tax.

I didn't mess with the rears.

Minimum rotor thickness for an 08 should be 24.6 mm before machining and 24.0 afterward.

 

Thanks for the info. I did a very quick check and craftsman has a metric hex key set that includes 9mm but I didn't look for something that will fit on a ratchet.

 

Hello!!

I pulled the rotors off the front a little while ago and took them to the shop for turning. They are stamped min 24 MM on the back where you can't see it when they are on.

I bought a set of regular type metric allen wrenches (hey keys) from Sears ($22 with tax) which included a 9 mm that I needed for the caliper bolts.

The set for use on a ratchet that Sears had didn't have 9mm as my set also does not

I didn't work on the back yet. If I learn anything worth sharing I will.

Take care!

 

rear drum should just pull off no need to take off the center nut.Also when doing the fronts you could just take the 2 bolts off that hold the calipers i think there 18mm bolts because you have to remove them any way to get the rotor off.I think when Itook my caliper off I used a torques bit.

 

Revisiting this thread.

Decided to install the rear pads this morning. Wouldn't you know, the bloody rear caliper bolts are a different, oddball size - 7 mm!

I cheated and ground down a 5/16 mm Allen wrench to get the job done.

 

i found a set of those metric hex-sockets at harbor freight tools, it also has the square drive sockets..but for some reason, they don't have the same set like I got anymore... The original brakes on my 06 went at like 30-something k miles.. those original Ford brake pads stink! went with Autozone duralast gold pads, the front pads started wearing funny on the passenger side.. Autozone replaced them for free...even though i had a warped rotor... and the rear ones are still going strong..at 126K...the old Ford pads on the rear were almost gone at 30K..i expect the original pads on my 2011 F350 to be gone around 30K or so.. Ford - your factory pads are cheap garbage..

 

You don't actually have to take the bolts out of the front brackets to remove the caliper. Just unbolt the bracket bolts and remove the caliper/bracket as an assembly. Then remove the outer and inner pads. Next, just pull the bracket off of the caliper, there is clearance to do it. Then you can clean/lube, and reinstall everything in reverse order. I've done dozens of brake jobs on Escapes and have never removed those bolts.

 

Decided to re-visit this thread yet again regarding the rear brakes specifically.

I had to pull the rear rotors for turning this morning on my 07 Mariner w/ 4-wheel disks. Well, you DO have to remove the calipers as you cannot remove the "backing plate" on this configuration. The fronts will work just fine by pulling the bracket without removing the caliper from the bracket as suggested.

Good thing I found my ground-down Alllen wrench!

 

I need this 9mm socket also. I just Googled it and it seems Pep Boys keeps them in stock. I you live near a Pep Boys you're in luck. $12.99 as of this post. So weird that it's just not included in retail sets.

CTA 9mm Hex Bit Socket
Part # 1489 SKU: 705604

CTA 9mm Hex Bit Socket
9mm Hex Bit Socket services Brake Caliper Bolts found on later model Ford & Mazda vehicles. 9mm hex is a hard-to-find size that is not found in typical Hex/Allen bit sets. 2-piece bit/socket construction with nickel plated bit holder with 3/8" square drive
◦Special 9mm hex bit size

CTA 9mm Hex Bit Socket | Product Details | Pep Boys